"...end of the World...." that's what I was afraid of!! time to step up collecting fees from my clients.Dave R. thanks for the info, huge relief!!! I think some of google earth is being rolled into maps, depending on what version & platform is being used. Looks like maps (or future variant) is their $$$ making machine, so it's safe for now.Google Sets End Date for Google Earth APIhttp://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2473630,00.asp

it'sound like it's not the plugin but the google API and as far as i know is the very same needed for the "add location" to work maybe thomthom or some other tech guru can explain us if this will affect sketchup or not

Nothing to fear here in regards to SketchUp's Add Location feature. SketchUp uses the Google Maps API, not the Google Earth API. Google Earth the application is not going away.

Google's announcement that they are ending the Google Earth browser plugin ("Google Earth API") is a natural consequence of tightening browser security models. Most modern browsers are dropping support for any form of plugins over the next couple years.

Fortunately, much of the functionality of the Google Earth plugin has now been incorporated into Google Maps using more modern browser capabilities like WebGL. This is the same technology we use to do 3D views of SketchUp models on the 3D Warehouse, and it does not require a browser plugin.

So, nothing to fear here and it is all a natural progression of technology.

Nothing to fear here in regards to SketchUp's Add Location feature. SketchUp uses the Google Maps API, not the Google Earth API. Google Earth the application is not going away.

Google's announcement that they are ending the Google Earth browser plugin ("Google Earth API") is a natural consequence of tightening browser security models. Most modern browsers are dropping support for any form of plugins over the next couple years.

Fortunately, much of the functionality of the Google Earth plugin has now been incorporated into Google Maps using more modern browser capabilities like WebGL. This is the same technology we use to do 3D views of SketchUp models on the 3D Warehouse, and it does not require a browser plugin.

So, nothing to fear here and it is all a natural progression of technology.

Thanks,Tyler

Seems that we should have been worried. You guys knew about a 5year grace period, but didn't mention that to the users until 2 months before the change.Upcoming Change to Add Location https://forums.sketchup.com/t/upcoming- ... tion/40953Tyler thanks for the misdirection,Glenn

Glenn, the discontinuation of a variety of Google-related links to SketchUp was announced when Google sold Trimble. It's Google that has decided to turn off the access. It wasn't Trimble deciding to discontinue it.

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Inspecting mirrors is a job I could easily see myself doing.

If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.

I use a relatively cheap (and easy to use) app for hiking / adventure / bike routing - is uses various servers for aerial images, as well as topo maps, etc... as far as I know access to many of these is free or relatively cheap. I know there are pros that use this for trail mapping, etc.

What's really good for quick studies is the geo located aerial imagery. That way one can quickly locate new work relative to existing features, good enough for initial planning and presentation. The actual "terrain" model (that I've seen) is only so useful at the site scale. Topo maps might be better, lacking a survey.

pbacot wrote:What's really good for quick studies is the geo located aerial imagery. That way one can quickly locate new work relative to existing features, good enough for initial planning and presentation. The actual "terrain" model (that I've seen) is only so useful at the site scale. Topo maps might be better, lacking a survey.

Agreed that the usefulness of the imported 3d data isn't always as useful, but its usually close enough for early stage work, until a survey is done or can be found / imported / created.

jody - SketchUp Team Member wrote:Update 4/4/2017: The new data layers are now available in SU 2017. This means that Pro users will see two new layers in add location: "DigitalGlobe Satellite" and "Trimble Map". Make users will now see a "Trimble Map" layer. Google Satellite will remain as the default layer for a few more weeks.

jody - SketchUp Team Member wrote:Update 4/4/2017: The new data layers are now available in SU 2017. This means that Pro users will see two new layers in add location: "DigitalGlobe Satellite" and "Trimble Map". Make users will now see a "Trimble Map" layer. Google Satellite will remain as the default layer for a few more weeks.

And if we stick to 2016 we'll still have the same functionality as before? (I haven't seen a change)

pbacot wrote:And if we stick to 2016 we'll still have the same functionality as before?

SketchUp Help Center : FAQ for Add Location changes in SketchUp wrote:SketchUp 2016 (Pro or Make) and older versions of SketchUpAt this time, there is no feasible way to update these versions of SketchUp to use the new geodata service. The Add Location and Photo Textures features will no longer function.